The Federal Reserve has a blunt yet effective instrument to fight inflation: raising the federal funds rate. But using it requires a delicate balancing act. We offer a snapshot of what to look for as the economic cycle plays out. … READ MORE >
unemployment
Initial jobless claims rise as producer inflation deflates for first time in 2 years
While there has been a clear upward trend in new unemployment claims, the number remained relatively low compared to the historical standard, especially with significant downward revisions to data for the last two weeks of July. … READ MORE >
U.S. July employment report: A recession is not yet at hand
Economies in recession do not produce 528,000 jobs in a given month and have 3.5% unemployment rates. Since January, total employment has increased by 3.3 million jobs and the unemployment rate has declined from 4% to 3.5%. With such a robust labor market, claims that the economy is in recession … … READ MORE >
Jobless claims in July continue rising layoffs trend
Initial jobless continue to trend above the pre-pandemic average, as the U.S. economy contracted for the second consecutive quarter. However, continued jobless claims remain flat, suggesting people receiving unemployment benefits aren’t remaining unemployed for long. … READ MORE >
U.S. employment report for June indicates no recession now
An American economy in free fall does not tend to produce 372,000 jobs in any given month, as the June employment report showed on Friday. The data released by the Labor Department strongly implied that the economy is not in recession. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims exceed pre-pandemic level for second straight week
There were 229,000 new jobless claims for the week ending June 11, down slightly from an upwardly revised 232,000 in the prior week. … READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims rise to above pre-pandemic level
New claims for jobless benefits increased by 27,000 to 229,000 for the week ending June 4, from an upwardly revised 202,000 in the prior week. … READ MORE >
U.S. April jobs report: Another month of solid payroll gains
Sustained strength in wages continues to attract workers back into the American labor force which resulted in a net increase of 428,000 in April. … READ MORE >
U.S. February jobs report: Bittersweet symphony as employment rises by 678,000
Despite a net increase in total employment of 678,000 and a decline in the unemployment rate to 3.8% in February, the improvement in the American labor market is now in the rear-view mirror as the impact of geopolitical tensions and inflation sets in. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: New jobless claims continue to fall
New filings for jobless benefits dropped by 16,000 to 223,000 for the week ending Feb. 5 on a seasonally adjusted basis, only 5,000 from reaching its pre-pandemic level of 218,000. … READ MORE >